I'm not going out like that

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao-tzu)

For as long as I can remember, I have been fat. However, I noticed that my weight gain began to increase during my high school and college years. I would lose weight during the summer months when I was more active--ten pounds here, fifteen pounds there. The most weight that I have ever lost was twenty-five pounds. As I aged out of my mid-twenties and approach my thirtieth birthday in a little over a year, I have noticed that the weight isn't coming off as easily and I seem to be gaining more weight than I lose. In recent years, I have been plagued with various health issues-gallstones, back pain, runner's knee, arthritis, breathing difficulties, and prediabetes, among other things. These issues can be alleviated by weight loss.

On a practical note, being fat is expensive! Larger clothes mean that the manufacturers have to use more material to create the outfits. My skinny friends might be able to find a dress for $14.99 but that same dress would probably cost me $19.99 or even $24.99. When bridal stores have $99 sales, how many plus-size wedding dresses do you think are on sale at that price?

Most importantly, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I want to be able to go into a store and know that I will actually be able to find clothes in my size. I want to be able to run without gasping for air. I want to wake up and experience a day without pain in my ankles, knees, back, anywhere! I want to get on a plane and not need a seat belt extender. I'm tired of children asking me, "Are you having a baby?" Let's be real: I'm tired of adults asking me "Are you expecting? How many kids do you have?" Let's see, I have two and one on the way. Their names are Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. I don't want to deal with heart problems, insulin, or knee replacement when I'm older. The real wake-up call for me was when I was at the doctor's office and I happened to read the notes in my file. The doctor described me as "a morbidly obese African-American woman." Morbidly obese? You mean I could die because I'm too big? Wait a minute! I refuse to go out like that. I'm not dying young just because I neglected to care for my body. Whatever I have to give up isn't worth my life. Even if I never eat another french fry, chicken nugget, pizza, or slice of bacon again, it's not worth my life. I have to lose approximately 52 lbs in order to no longer be morbidly obese. I have set a goal of losing 7-8lbs a month for the next seven months. The number seven represents completion in the Bible. I believe that by losing th weight, I will be able to complete a chapter of my life that has gone on for far too long.